PR98453

LONDON, Oct. 24, 2022 / PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

MEXICAN ARTIST PARTNERS WITH VUSE TO CREATE A LARGE-SCALE FOLK ART KIWI IN

HOMAGE TO THE McLAREN F1 TEAM'S NEW ZEALAND ROOTS

Today, visitors to McLaren Racing can say "Hola" to a giant sculpture of a Kiwi

bird designed by Mexican artist Luis Pablo, who has bestowed his artistic

sculpture on a global stage ahead of the FORMULA 1 GRAN PREMIO DE LA CIUDAD DE

MÉXICO 2022 weekend.

Honouring Mexican tradition, Vuse, the no.1 global vape brand*, and partner The

McLaren F1 Team, have unveiled an unprecedented bright and celebratory

8-foot-tall Kiwi in the style of traditional Mexican folk art, alebrije, based

on designs by the sculptor from Oaxaca, Mexico. Perched at the iconic

headquarters of The McLaren F1 Team, just in time for the FORMULA 1 GRAN PREMIO

DE LA CIUDAD DE MÉXICO, Luis Pablo's bold paintwork gives the Kiwi a new lease

of life.

The larger-than-life installation, which is visible until after the Mexican

Grand Prix weekend, is a recreation of smaller scale alebrije Kiwis that Luis

has handmade and gifted to The McLaren F1 Team. Putting Mexican folk art on a

pedestal in time for Luis' home race and drawing attention to the role that

culture and heritage plays in his work, the eye-catching design is an assembly

of three worlds; Vuse's drive to champion emerging creatives, Luis's passion

and creative talent in alebrije artwork and The McLaren F1 Team's heritage in

New Zealand.

True to Vuse's ethos, the brand has taken Luis's artwork to the next level

creating a larger-than-life celebratory Kiwi. In partnership with Jahee

Campbell-Brennan, Director, at Wavey Dynamics, Luis's smaller-scale Kiwi has

been 3D scanned to become an 8-foot CNC milled sculpture made from a similar

type of high-density foam to those used as core materials within carbon fibre

wings, floors, wishbones and other structures in F1 cars where it acts to

provide further stiffness and strength. The bespoke Kiwi sculpture marks the

latest activity as part of Vuse's Driven by Change programme alongside The

McLaren F1 Team which supports the creative class by offering underrepresented

artistic talent the opportunity to showcase their passion and work on one of

the world's biggest and most high-profile stages – elite motorsport.

Luis has a deep passion for alebrijes, a traditional form of Mexican folk art,

which combines intricate carvings depicting animals, people, objects, and

imaginary creatures painted with intense colours and vibrant patterns. Driven

by his creative pursuits, over the years, Luis has mastered his craft to become

a guardian of Mexican folk art, which is showcased by his impressive collection

of intricately designed alebrijes. Through his sculptures, he hopes to

represent and shine a spotlight on this traditional form of Mexican art which

is steeped in history; inspiring others to embrace and share their own cultural

traditions.

Luis Pablo comments: "Through Driven by Change, Vuse has offered me the

incredible opportunity to be able to represent my culture and introduce

alebrije to many who would otherwise never encounter it. I hope that through

creativity and design, we have brought together the worlds of Mexico, New

Zealand, Vuse and The McLaren F1 Team to symbolise the power of heritage. It is

amazing to be able to showcase my artwork and culture on a global stage and I'd

like my artwork to be seen as an example to the next generation, inspiring them

to believe in themselves."

In homage to their founder, racing driver Bruce McLaren, New Zealand's national

bird, the Kiwi, has become embedded in The McLaren F1 Team's mantra, embracing

spirit, perseverance, and pursuit of better. Luis has reimagined the flightless

bird, decorating it with the iconic papaya and blue colourway of The McLaren F1

Team to symbolise the passion that comes from being proud of your background,

the diligence that comes with the belief in your abilities and the ongoing

drive to follow your dreams.

Matt Dennington, Executive Director, Partnerships & Accelerator, McLaren Racing

comments: "It is a pleasure to welcome Luis Pablo to the McLaren Technology

Centre to celebrate his amazing work. Through Vuse's Driven by Change campaign,

we are proud to celebrate underrepresented artists and help to give them the

recognition they deserve."

Vuse is committed to supporting the creative industries. The Driven by Change

initiative forms part of Vuse's legacy and ambition to accelerate the creative

pursuits of underrepresented artists across the globe. Working with their

partner, The McLaren F1 Team, Vuse's Driven by Change programme identifies new

opportunities to bring their work to life, helping introduce creatives from

diverse backgrounds to the masses. Luis's large-scale alebrije Kiwi will be

showcased at McLaren Racing from today until after the FORMULA 1 GRAN PREMIO DE

LA CIUDAD DE MÉXICO 2022 on Sunday 31st October.

John Beasley, Group Head of Brand Building, BAT, comments: "From Abu Dhabi to

Colombia and now Mexico - Driven by Change is establishing a truly global

legacy, celebrating underrepresented artists from all walks of life. Luis's

clear passion for his colourful, bold and unique form of traditional Mexican

Folk art is inspiring and having an alebrije brought to life at the McLaren F1

Team's HQ epitomises what Driven by Change is all about."

To discover more about Luis's story and the Driven by Change initiative visit

Vuse and Luis's social channels.

*Based on Vype/Vuse estimated value share from RRP in measured retail for

vapour (i.e. total vapour category value in retail sales) in key vapour

markets: USA, Canada, France, UK, Germany as of May 2022

Notes to Editors:

About BAT

BAT is a leading, multi-category consumer goods business with a purpose to

build A Better Tomorrow™ by reducing the health impact of its business through

offering a greater choice of enjoyable and less risky products for adult

consumers.

The company continues to be clear that combustible cigarettes pose serious

health risks, and the only way to avoid these risks is not to start or to quit.

BAT encourages those who would otherwise continue to smoke to switch completely

to scientifically-substantiated, reduced-risk alternatives*†. In order to

deliver this, BAT is transforming into a truly consumer-centric multi-category

consumer products business.

BAT's ambition is to have 50 million consumers of its non-combustible products

by 2030 and to generate £5billion of New Categories revenue by 2025. BAT has

set stretching ESG targets including achieving carbon neutrality for Scopes 1 &

2 by 2030 and eliminating unnecessary single-use plastic and making all plastic

packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025.

BAT employs over 52,000 people and operates in over 175 countries. The BAT

Group generated revenue of £12.87 billion in the first half of 2022 and profit

from operations of £3.68 billion.

The company's Strategic Portfolio is made up of its global cigarette brands and

a growing range of reduced-risk*† New Category tobacco and nicotine products

and traditional non-combustible tobacco products. These include vapour, tobacco

heating products, modern oral products including tobacco-free nicotine pouches,

as well as traditional oral products such as snus and moist snuff. In the first

half of 2022, we had 20.4 million consumers of our non-combustible products, a

rise of 2.1 million on full year 2021.

*Based on the weight of evidence and assuming a complete switch from cigarette

smoking. These products are not risk free and are addictive.

† Our products as sold in the US, including Vuse, Velo, Grizzly, Kodiak, and

Camel Snus, are subject to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation and no

reduced-risk claims will be made as to these products without FDA clearance.

About McLaren Racing

McLaren Racing was founded by New Zealand racing driver Bruce McLaren in 1963.

The team entered its first Formula 1 race in 1966, since then McLaren has won

20 Formula 1 world championships, more than 180 Formula 1 grands prix, the

Indianapolis 500 three times, and the Le Mans 24 Hours at its first attempt.

The team competes in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship with Lando Norris and

Daniel Ricciardo, the NTT INDYCAR Series with Arrow McLaren SP drivers Pato

O'Ward and Felix Rosenqvist, and the Extreme E Championship with Emma Gilmour

and Tanner Foust. McLaren will compete in Season Nine of the FIA Formula E

World Championship in 2022/23.

McLaren was the first F1 team to be awarded the Carbon Trust Standard in 2010

and has retained it since on a bi-annual basis, most recently in February 2021.

The team was also the first in F1 to be given the FIA Sustainability

Accreditation Award at a three-star level in 2013 as part of the FIA

Environmental Certification framework, before becoming a signatory to the UN

Sports for Climate Action Commitment in 2021.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1928038/Kiwi_sculpture.jpg

Media Contact:

Rebecca Brown

rebecca.brown@bcw-global.com

+44 (0)7464 999 459

SOURCE: Vuse